Major reinforcement could soon rejoin Braves

The Braves have a starting pitching problem. June has exposed that clearly, with the rotation currently sporting a 5.80 ERA on the month.

Outside of Chris Sale, there’s not a single arm on the roster the Braves should feel comfortable handing the ball to in a playoff game. There’s an expectation they’ll be one of the top suitors for Tarik Skubal and other available starters, but they’re still going to need someone internally to step up and be that third guy.

Of the names currently on the active roster, I’m not sure that option exists unless the Braves are willing to move Didier Fuentes back to the rotation — something they probably should be considering right about now. There are, however, a couple of names working their way back from injury with the kind of upside that could change that equation.

Most notably, Spencer Schwellenbach has proven to be among the best young arms in the sport — a big-game pitcher with an incredible arsenal. The problem is there’s no guarantee he even returns this season, and if he does, getting him back to his peak form will be a tall order.

Hurston Waldrep is a much more realistic option. He has the repertoire to be a frontline starter, something he showed in limited action last season with a 2.88 ERA over 56.1 innings after making some adjustments on the farm — and he’s much closer to returning.

Waldrep made two starts for the Gwinnett Stripers over the last week, including one yesterday in which he threw 71 pitches, allowing just one run over 4.2 innings with five strikeouts.

The Braves have taken things slowly as they build him back up. He’s already had five starts in the minors, typically around the point where pitchers are fully stretched out, and Waldrep isn’t far behind. His next outing could see him up around 85 pitches, and from there it’s up to the team where he makes his next start.

The stuff is undeniable. He’s been pumping his fastball in the high 90s since his first outing back, paired with his patented splitter — already one of the best off-speed offerings on the planet.

The issue with Waldrep has always been his control. He’s battled walks at times while rehabbing, and he’s had similar problems in the past when fully healthy. But given how the rotation is performing right now, it might be better to let him figure it out at the major-league level on the fly — because the Braves are going to need him in Atlanta this season.